UCMBEST | David Baker Architects

Marina CA | Completed

2001

Interior view of UCMBEST in Marina, California.

Twin-wall skylights provide a flood of natural light for the interactive space, despite the typical foggy weather.

UCMBEST is the sustainable headquarters for the Monterey Bay Education, Science and Technology Center at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

A wall of windows separates the interactive space and outside entrance to one of the small business incubators.

Image Credit

David Baker Architects

UC Monterey Bay Education, Science, and Technology (MBEST) Center is part of the reuse strategy for the former Fort Ord military base. Designed as the new headquarters building for the UC MBEST Center administrative offices, UCSC Extension, the city of Marina Small Business Incubator, as well as additional tenants. It is a synergistic project combining public and private organizations to create a postindustrial model for sustainable economic growth.

UCSC developed the MBEST Center, a 26,000-square-foot headquarters complex, as a cornerstone of the Fort Ord redevelopment plan. The center aims to foster regional economic development and job creation by establishing a community of high-technology businesses.